The most common thing when using Windows is to install it on a computer with its corresponding hard disk to store the information, in such a way that the maximum performance can be obtained. However, this somewhat complicates the possibility of taking the operating system with you to be able to run it on other computers.
And this is exactly where WinToUSB comes in. Thanks to this tool, you can install the version of Windows you want on any pendrive or external hard drive, in such a way that when starting any computer from it, it is possible to start the system and use it as if it were installed on the computer itself, with the possibility of even using it on more than one computer, keeping all the information.
Windows on a USB? It is possible, we tell you how to do it with WinToUSB step by step
In this case, the truth is that if you start the Windows installation program, even if you insert an external storage unit, in principle it will not be possible to install it in it, since Microsoft does not allow it. However, this can be done easily using WinToUSB.
Necessary requirements
In order to start the installation of your Windows, you will need some previous requirements:
- Pendrive or external hard drive: First, you will need the external storage to use to install Windows. It is important that it has enough capacity so that you can install everything you need, and, especially if you are going to install Windows 8 or a later version, it is highly recommended that you use USB 3.0 or type C if your computer allows it to achieve current speeds. In online stores like Amazon you can find very economical and totally valid options.
- Windows installation media: You will also need the installation program for the version of Windows you want to install. It is valid both an ISO file, which you can easily obtain from the Microsoft website of the latest versions, and Windows 10, Windows 8 o Windows 7, like any CD you have that allows installation.
- WinToUSB installed on your computer: you must download and install the latest version of the WinToUSB program on your computer so that the Windows installation can be carried out. There is a free version that will allow you to do everything you need in the beginning, and that you can get directly from the official website.
Install Windows on a USB stick
Once you meet the requirements, insert the pendrive and Windows installation media if you have them on your computer, then open WinToUSB to begin. On the home screen, you should choose if you want to install from an ISO file, or from an inserted disk. This can be changed by means of the icons that you will find on the right, although regardless of this you must select either the location of the file or the drive where the installation program is located. In the same way, you will also have to choose the system you would like to install and its architecture (32 or 64 bit) in the list shown.
Once this is done, you should choose the external drive where you want to install Windows, that is to say, the pendrive or hard disk connected by means of USB. Doing this will bring up a new window for you to specify the type of boot partition you want to create based on your computer (You can check this information in the boot configuration of your computer, or simply try to see which one is appropriate), and then you must select the final capacity of the hard disk on which Windows will be installed to begin the installation. Keep in mind that at this time the disk will need to be formatted, so you will lose all the data on it.
Once everything is chosen, the program will start to check that everything is correct and copy the necessary files to the USB drive, to later carry out the installation of the version of Windows you have selected. This process will take more or less depending on the reading speeds of the selected media, and the writing speed of your USB device, but it should not take too long, although it may take time to start.
Start Windows from the USB drive
Once everything is configured, when the wizard has finished you can boot from your USB drive to start Windows. To do this, you will have to turn off your computer or use another, and modify the boot order or the corresponding configuration (generally it can be achieved from the BIOS, see how it is done according to the manufacturer of your computer or its motherboard) so that start from said pendrive.
You should be able to see how Windows starts correctly, and once configured it will be saved there, so that you can choose any other device and it will also work, keeping the files you store at all times.